Heater for railway switches



June 23, 1938. L. H.-V. moms I 2 54 HEATER FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES FiledFeb; 8, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 1 June 28, 1938.- H. v. REYNOLDS 2,122,154

- HEATER FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed Feb. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w '2MM Q I I I I f f? nwamoR.

June 28, 1938. L. H. v. REYNOLbS 2,122,154

HEATER 1 0R RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed Feb. 8, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet s a r" r5/5 i 1,

4 Z a INVENTOR.

v ATTORNEY.

Patented June 28, 1938 Ni'iED STATES PATET OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in heaters for railway switches.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an efiicient gas-firedheater construction designed for the purpose of melting snow and ice inand around railroad switches.

Another object of my invention is to provide a gas-fired heater forrailway switches embodying a flame-confining combustion chamber, onewall of which is composed of a portion of the rail to be heated andwhich rail portion will form one of the confining walls of such confinedcombustion chamber against which a flame generated in said chamber willbe caused to impinge so that a maximum degree of heat per unit of fuelburned may be transmitted to the rail and through the rail to thetie-plate by conduction.

Another object of my invention is to provide, in a heater for railwayswitches, a flame-confining combustion chamber having a flue opening oropenings communicating with fiue passages or ducts open to theatmosphere at opposite ends.

Still another object of my invention is to provide, in a heater of thecharacter described, an inspirator or mixing member for air and gaswhich will be confined in a separate compartment and preferably hasindirect communication with the atmosphere through an inlet duct,passage or passages open at opposite ends.

Still other objects of my invention are to provide for a proper mixtureof gas and air under conditions met along the roadway of a railway; toprovide means whereby complete combustion of the mixed gas will beproduced and a large percentage of confined heat from the products ofcombustion will be applied directly and transferred to the rail, and thetemperature of] the released products of combustion will be very low.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch heater unit whichwill be ruggedly constructed to withstand rough usage and to operatesuccessfully in all kinds of weather and under the atmosphericturbulences, partial vacuums and pressures created by the passing offast trains and under the usual high winds of the winter seasonencountered on railway properties, and to this end, I provide, in aheater of the character described, a double-chambered unit embodying aconfined combustion chamber combined with a confined mixing chamberdisposed adjacent thereto and independent ducts for each of saidchambers, each separately open to the atmosphere to equalize airpressures in said combustion and mixing chambers, and each of said ductsbeing open at opposite ends to provide for confinement of said chambersand to neutralize the effect of air currents.

With these and. other objects in view, the inventioncomprises thecombination of members and arrangement of parts so combined as to coactand co-operate with each other in the performance of the functions andthe accomplishment of the results herein contemplated, and comprises inone of its adaptations the species or preferred form illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a view in plan of a heater embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the directionof the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, looking in the directionof the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a. section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified form of my heater, Fig. 5 being alongitudinal vertical section on the line 55 of Fig. 6, looking in thedirection of the arrows; and Fig. 6 being a 1ongitudinal horizontalsection on the line 66 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of thearrows;

Figs. 7 to 10 illustrate another modified form of heater in which Fig.'7 is a horizontal section on the line 'l'| of Fig. 10, looking in thedirection of the arrows; Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-8of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 9 is a verticallongitudinal section on the line 99 of Fig. 10, looking in the directionof the arrows; and Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-section on the lineIll-J0 of -Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is an end-elevation of a heater adapted for application to theWeb of a rail;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 11, lookingtoward open side thereof;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section on the line l3-I3 of Fig. 12, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line l4--l4 of Fig.13, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section on the line l5l5 of Fig. 12, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section on the line Iii-46 of Fig. 12, looking inthe direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 17 is a vertical section on the line ll-l'l of Fig. 12, looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 of these drawings, whichillustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, is a switch heaterpreferably comprising a double chambered unit embodying an inspirator ormixing chamber 2 and a combustion chamber 3. The unit I comprises, asshown, a casting polygonal in conformation having substantiallyrectangular chambers 2 and 3 completely separated from each other by apartition or wall 3. The unit I has mounted to extend longitudinallytherein a gas tube 4 connected on the outside of said unit to a suitablesupply of fuel, such as gas or gaseous vapor (not shown). A liquifiedpetroleum gas product or bottled gas is preferably used. This gas isshipped in steel bottles of such size and weight as to be easilyhandled, usually one hundred (100) pounds of fuel per bottle. The liquidvaporizes readily at low temperatures in the container and flows to theburners under pressure controlled by a governor on the gas line, notshown.

As shown, the gas tube 4 passes through an opening 2 in the rear wall ofthe chamber 2, extends longitudinally through the same and has at itsforward end a. nozzle t projecting through an opening 3 in the saidseparating wall 3' and into -ably sealed in any suitable manner tocompletely separate the two chambers and to exclude undesirable externalair currents.

The combustion chamber 3, in these figures, is open at its upper end andprovided with verticallyextending walls forming a confined chamberhaving at its upper end an open seat 3* adapted to be closed by and toabut against the bottom surface of the rail flange R. which in thisembodiment, it is desired to heat. The bottom of such flange will form acover or closure for the top of a confined combustion chamber withinwhich the gas nozzle extends and within which the air-gas mixture may beignited.

The heat of the gas flame in the confined combustion chamber will thusbe applied directly to the rail which it is desired to heat and amaximum degree of heat per unit of fuel will be transferred to andabsorbed by the said rail, and in the embodiment shown, because of thefact that the walls of the combustion chamber confine the flame and forma seat for the rail, the flame will impinge against the rail flangecausing a direct transfer of heat from the flame to the rail in aconfined space and also some of the heat of the flame absorbed by thewalls of the combustion chamber will be transmitted to the rail R byconduction. A maximum degree of heat from the flame will thus be appliedand transferred to the rail which, by conduction, will transmit heat toother parts, such as the tie-plate.

It will be seen that I have provided a confined combustion chamber and Ialso preferably pro-v vide a confined inspirator or mixing chamber 2which, in addition to a bottom 2", four side walls 2 2 and 2 has anintegral top or ceiling plate 2 and preferably has indirect inletopenings communicating, as hereinafter more particularly described, withan inlet duct or ducts open at opposite ends to the atmosphere.

In order to insure a constant flow of the air and gas mixture from themixing or inspirator chamber to the burner in the combustion chamber, anequal pressure in both chambers is desirable and furthermore, because ofthe fact that heaters of this type are used in the open country, theeffect of air currents, wind or other air conditions should beneutralized. With these ends in view, both the mixing chamber and thecombustion chamber will be independently connected with the outeratmosphere in such manner that both chambers will be maintained atsubstantially atmospheric pressure, and means will be provided to avoidflicker or disturbance of the flame by air currents or wind.

In order to equalize pressures in the mixing and combustion chambers andalso to neutralize the effectof air currents and wind both on the mixingelements in the mixing chamber and on the flame in the combustionchamber, the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is provided in the floorof the said mixing chamber with a pair of inlet openings 6 leading orcommunicating with a duct '8 open at opposite ends 1 and 7 (see Fig. 3)and the combustion chamber (see Fig. 4) is likewise provided with twopairs of outlet openings 8 and 9 leading or communicating with a duct I0 also open at its opposite ends Ill and Ill respectively.

It will be seen that when the gas is ignited at Y the end of the nozzle4, the flame will be applied directly against the bottom of the rail Rand the products of combustion will travel in the directionof the arrowsthrough the openings 8 and 9 and thence to the duct in which is open tothe atmosphere and thus permits atmospheric pressure to prevail withinthe combustion chamber and also because of the fact that said duct I0 isopen at its opposite ends, air or wind currents will be allowed to passfreely therethrough, and because of such free movement of the air orwind currents in opposite directions, the force thereof will beneutralized and the products of combustion will be enabled to escape atatmospheric pressure through either end [0' and Ill of the duct l0.Likewise, the duct 1 for the mixing chamber, being open at 7', 7 willneutralize the force of any air or wind currents passing therethroughand permit the entrance of quiet air through the inlet openings 6 intosaid mixing chamber. In this way, the mixing chamber and the combustionchamber will be independently maintained at atmospheric pressure and theforce or effect of air currents or wind will be neutralized so that aproper supply of air will be admitted into the mixing chamber and theproducts of combustion from the combustion chamber will be permitted toescape freely therefrom. Also,

pressure from any source will be transmitted to both chamberssimultaneously, the independent open-end ducts causing any such pressureto be immediately balanced in both chambers.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. Sand 6, I have showna mixing chamber 2 struction of heating unit which embodies separate andindependent combustion and inspiration chambers 2*, 3 having a gas tube4* mounted therein in a manner very similar to the constructionshereinabove described. In this embodiment, however, I provide for thecombustion chamber a pair of flue ducts IIJ having connectionintermediate their ed-ges IO with the combustion chamber and open attheir opposite ends as shown at ll] of Fig. 7. In this construction, Ihave provided a single duct I connected intermediate its ends with theinspiration chamber as shown at I and this duct is open at its oppositeends to the atmosphere as shown at I in Fig. 8. In this construction, Ialso preferably provide for supplying secondary air to the combustionchamber and with this end in view, -I have shown at the opposite cornerof the housing, a duct II disposed parallel to the duct I Asillustrated, the duct II is connected at II intermediate its ends withthe combustion chamber at a position below the flame so as to supplysecondary air to said combustion chamber and flame. This duct l I issimilar to the duct I and is open to the atmosphere, at opposite ends IlIn other respects, the construction is similar to those hereinabovedisclosed except that the burner nozzle 4 is, instead of projecting theflame into the chamber by a nozale 4', as shown in Figs. 1 to 6,provided with a series of gas-burner holes 4 In Figs. 11 to 15inclusive, I have shown another modified form of my invention in which aheater unit housing I2 is designed for contact with and connection tothe web of the rail instead of to the bottom of the flange thereof, ashereinabove described. In this modified construction, the unit housingis provided with a combustion chamber I 3 and an independent inspirationchamber M. The combustion chamber I3 is bounded by a series of walls I3,I3 I3 and l3 adapted to form a flame confining chamber open to provide aseat at one side edge and adapted to be closed by con.- tact with aportion of the rail which forms one of the confining walls of saidcombustion chamber, and with the other walls hereinabove specified,provides a flame confining chamber or compartment. In this construction,the said combustion chamber communicates with a duct I5 intermediate theends thereof, and as shown, communicates through an opening I5. The ducti5 is divided longitudinally at opposite ends for a portion of itslength by partitions l5 which function as air-current straighteners, butis free of said partition at the intermediate portion as indicated at l5of Fig. 11 and is connected through openings l5 with the combustionchamber I3. In this embodiment of my invention, the combustion chamberis preferably provided with a flame deflector [3 adapted to deflect theflame toward the seat I6 which contacts with and is closed by the webportion W of the rail R. The deflector l3 preferably has a portion I3adapted to further deflect the flame in a downward direction so thatsaid flame will be deflected both downwardly as well as sidewardly andinto contact with the web portion W of the rail R. This downwarddeflection causes a longer travel of the products of combustion beforethey reach the flue openings l5 of the flue I5 and serves further tosuitably confine the flame within said combustion chamher.

In this construction the inspiration chamber is in all respects similarto that hereinabove described, and the inspirator tube section passesthrough this inspirator compartment I l in substantially the same manneras hereinabove described. The inspiration chamber M is similarlyseparated and independent from the combustion chamber and is providedwith air passages independently communicating with the atmosphere. Asillustrated, the inspirator chamber is connected at M intermediate theends of an air duct I! open at its opposite ends I'I' to the atmosphereand preferably provided at such opposite ends with longitudinalair-straightening partitions extending a short portion of the length ofsaid duct H, the intermediate section of said duct being free of suchpartitions. In other respects the construction is similar to thathereinabove described.

What is claimed is:

l. A heater unit for railway switches embodying, in combination, ahousing having a series of walls provided with edges terminating in asubstantially common plane to form a seat, and a closure for said seatcomprising a portion of a switch rail adapted to fit over said seat,said series of walls and said closure conjointly bounding aflame-confining combustion-compartment in said housing, a gas-burnerdisposed within said combustion-compartment in position to causeconfinement of the flame therefrom between said series of walls andclosure, another series of walls within said housing bounding a separateinspirator-oompartment, an inspirator section connected with saidgas-burner and located within said inspirator-compartment, means forsupplying gas to said inspirator-section, and independent air-passagesbetween said combustion and inspirator-compartments and the atmospherefor equalizing air-pressures therein.

2. A heater unit for railway switches embodying, in combination, ahousing having a series of walls provided with edges terminating in asubstantially common plane to form a seat, and a closure for said seatcomprising a portion of a switch rail adapted to fit over said seat,said series of walls and said closure conjointly bounding aflame-confining combustion-compartment in said housing, means forproducing within said combustion-compartment a gas flame located andconfined between said series of walls and seat-closure, and a flue ductconnected intermediate its ends with combustion-compartment and havingat opposite ends thereof openings to the atmosphere.

3. A heater unit for railway switches embodying, in combination, ahousing having a series of walls provided with edges terminating in asubstantially common plane to form a seat, and a closure for said seatcomprising a portion of a switch rail adapted to fit over said seat,said series of walls and said closure conjointly bounding aflame-confining combustion-compartment in said housing, a gas-burnerdisposed within said combustion-compartment in position to causeconfinement of the flame therefrom between said series of walls andclosure, another series of walls within said housing bounding a separateinlspirator-compartment, an inspirator section connected with saidgas-burner and located with said inspirator-compartment, means forsupplying gas to said inspirator-section, and an airinlet duct connectedintermediate its ends with said inspirator-compartment and having atopposite ends thereof, openings to the atmosphere.

4. A heater unit for railway switches embodying, in combination, ahousing having a series of walls provided with edges terminating in asubstantially common plane to form a seat, and a closure for said seatcomprising a portion of a switch rail adapted to fit over said seat,said series of walls and said closure conjointly bounding aflame-confining combustion-compartment in said housing, a gas-burnerdisposed within said combustion-compartment in. position to causeconfinement of the flame therefrom between said series of walls andclosure, another series of walls Within said housing bounding a separateinspirator-compartment, an inspirator section connected with saidgas-burner and located within said inspirator-compartment, means forsupplying gas to said inspirator-section, and independent passagescomprising ducts between each of said inspirator andcombustion-compartments and the atmosphere, each of said ducts beingindependently connected intermediate its ends with one of'saidcompartments and having its opposite ends open to the atmosphere.

5. A heater unit for railway switches embodying, in combination, ahousing having a flameconfining combustion chamber having at one wall anopen seat completely surrounded by a series of imperforate wallsall ofwhich are provided with edges terminating in a substantially commonplane to form said seat, and a closure for said seat comprising aportion of a switch rail adapted to fit over said seat, a burner forproducing within said combustion compartment a gas flame located andconfined between said series of walls and seat-closure, said series ofwalls and said closure conjointly bounding said flame-confining combustion-compartment, and a flue connected with said combustion chamber at aposition spaced from said seat.

6. A heater unit for railway switches embodying, in combination, ahousing having a flameconfining combustion chamber having at one wall anopen seat completely surrounded by a series of Walls all of which areprovided with edges; terminating in a substantially common plane to forma seat, and a closure for said seat comprising a portion of a switchrail adapted to fit over said seat, said series of walls and saidclosure conjointly bounding a flame-confining combustion-compartment insaid housing, a gas-burner disposed within said combustion-compartmentin position to cause confinement of the flame therefrom between saidseries of Walls and closure, another series of walls within said housingbounding a separate inspirator-compartment, an inspirator-sectionconnected with said gas-burner and located within saidinspirator-compartment, means for supplying gas to saidinspirator-section, a fiue conduit having a connection with saidcombustion chamber at a position spaced from said seat and independentair-admission means for said inspirator-compartment.

LLOYD H. V. REYNOLDS.

